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The eight National Parks of Croatia cover
7.5% of the country or 994 sq km. Visiting all of the Croatian National
Parks gives a breathtaking array of scenery from forested islands to
craggy mountaintops, waterfalls, lakes and sun-baked islands in the
sea. They provide ideal vacation experiences for active
travellers as there seems to be nothing you can't do. Try
scuba diving, rock
climbing, hiking,
biking, swimming and spelunking!

Admission prices are generally reasonable
for the National Parks although they have been climbing steadily the
last few years. Generally, it's cheaper to visit in spring or autumn
as some parks increase their prices in the summer. Most national parks and many nature parks now allow visitors to buy tickets in advance and online which can save a lot of time in summer. Parks of Croatia handles online sales at their website. It's also a good site to catch up on national park news and the current weather.

Geologically speaking,
many of Croatia's National Parks lie on karst.
Karst is highly porous limestone and dolomitic rock through
which water seeps to create underground streams. The terrain is marked
by fissures, caves and springs as well as polje, a basin
formed when the limestone collapses.

Here is a map showing Croatia's National Parks:

Here is a summary of Croatia's National
Parks:

Plitvice
Lakes National Park
The countless waterfalls and emerald lakes make it Croatia's most
visited park. You can't swim in the lakes but (and because) you
can drink the water. Formed on karst, it's a UNESCO-protected
World Heritage Site.

Krka National Park
Like a smaller version of Plitvice, Krka has lakes and waterfalls
which you can even swim in. It's more developed and less of a natural
paradise than Plitvice.

Mljet
National ParkIf other islands seem too touristy, come to Mljet to kick
back and enjoy the forests and inland lakes.

Risnjak National
Park
Few people bother to visit Risnjak but they should. The forests
once harboured ris or fox but now the majestic pine and
beech trees loom over meandering trails and flowery meadows where
bears sometimes roam.

Paklenica National
Park
Cliffs and gorges, grottoes and caves make Paklenica a favourite
with your more energetic types. It's famous throughout Europe for
the rock-climbing.

Northern
Velebit National Park
Part of the same Velebit range as Paklenica, here is where you can
lose yourself (literally) in the mountains. Access is only by mountain
trail or via an, ahem, adventurous mountain road from Otocac.

Kornati Islands
National Park
Ask a yachtie and they'll tell you "The Kornati Islands are
the best". Almost completely uninhabited, this 147-island archipelago
provides endless opportunities for exploration with your own boat
or a guided tour. Agencies in Zadar,
Sibenik, Split
and Murter
arrange visits.